This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-dave-london-npm/ssh-test.md
What ssh-test does on Npm
AI agents invoke ssh-test to trigger actions in Npm. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call: builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.
Why ssh-test is rated High
Testing SSH connectivity involves initiating a network connection to a remote host, which is an external operation with potential security implications. An AI agent could misuse this to probe internal network hosts, perform reconnaissance, or trigger unintended remote interactions.
From the tool's definition 'Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host' — establishing SSH connections triggers external network operations
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs ssh-test safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Npm, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For ssh-test, this is the rule to start with:
ssh-test stays usable, but rate-capped: a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Npm, apply this rule, and every ssh-test call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about ssh-test
Tests SSH connectivity to a remote host using. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Npm MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Register the Npm MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for ssh-test: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Npm. Nothing to install.
ssh-test is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the ssh-test rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for ssh-test. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
ssh-test is provided by the Npm MCP server (Dave-London/Pare). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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